Knox County gets $250,000 state grant for due diligence study on site for proposed industrial park

Gov. Andy Beshear has awarded a $250,000 grant to Knox County to conduct due diligence studies as community leaders explore options to establish a new industrial park. The funding will come from Team Kentucky’s site and building development efforts.

“Site and building development are crucial to Kentucky’s ability to attract new business and industry,” Beshear said. “When communities like this one in Knox County commit to building that infrastructure, we see growth and progress in the state. I want to congratulate Knox County on this grant and look forward to working with the community as they conduct due diligence on the site.”

The Knox County Industrial Authority is seeking to purchase approximately 1,550 acres with plans to develop a new business park.

Knox County Judge-Executive Mike Mitchell said that the property is located on the northbound side of US25E at the 18-mile marker. It’s located at foot of Gilliam Hill. The large site connects to KY 229 on one side. KY 229 runs from Barbourville to London.

With the Southern Kentucky Business Park nearing full capacity, it is vital for the community to establish a new park to recruit business and industry to the region. The new project was approved for a $250,000 grant during a recent Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KDEFA) meeting.

Knox County Fiscal Court will contribute an additional $6,800 toward the project to conduct due diligence at the site.

Mitchell thanked the partnerships that have made the project possible.

“We are extremely excited to see this project moving forward. This potential industrial park is something we have been working on since the beginning of my first term as judge-executive. The future Knox County Industrial Park will have a generational impact on Knox and surrounding counties,” Mitchell said.

“It is our hope to create a better quality of life for the residents of Knox County, and we are excited to get this project started. Projects of this magnitude require support from all our community partners. I’d like to thank my staff and Bruce Carpenter, executive director, Southern Kentucky Economic Development Agency. They have worked tirelessly to make this project a reality. At the state level, Rep. Tom Odell Smith has been a strong advocate for this project. Senate President Robert Stivers and Gov. Beshear have both shown unwavering support. Congressman Hal Rogers has continued to be a constant in supporting economic growth in our region.”

Carpenter mentioned the need for a new business park.

“I am both pleased and grateful to the KEDFA board for approval for a grant to complete due diligence studies on a potential new industrial park site in Knox County,” Carpenter said. “An additional industrial park is much needed in Knox County to recruit new industry and bring good-paying jobs to our community. Thank you to the KEDFA Board, Secretary Jeff Noel and the Cabinet for Economic Development for recognizing the importance and benefit of a new industrial park.”

BREAKING: W’Burg attorney convicted in DUI case Friday, taken into custody

James Wren, II, the Williamsburg attorney charged with DUI last spring while on his way to court for a jury trial, was taken into custody Friday afternoon in Whitley District Court following a two-day trial in which jurors found him guilty of multiple charges.

Prior to meeting to deliberate their verdict, Wren, who acted as his own attorney, used his closing arguments to ask jurors for leniency while they considered their decision.

“Please, acquit me of the DUI,” Wren asked. “Even if you feel you have to find me guilty of something, convict me of reckless driving…Please, do not send me to jail.”

On May 24, 2023, Williamsburg Police arrested Wren, 68, after he was witnessed driving from near Exit 11 to Main Street while swerving all over the road and driving up on the sidewalk. He was reportedly traveling about 10 mph and making wide, sweeping turns. When police made contact with him, he had slurred speech and was unsteady when standing. 

His arrest prompted a mistrial in an attempted murder case he was actively working on in Whitley Circuit Court.

The jury—which consisted of six people, comprised of two women and four men—deliberated for just under an hour Friday before delivering their verdict, finding Wren guilty on both charges. 

Jurors sentenced Wren to 10 days in the county jail and set a $500 fine for the DUI charge. He will be required to pay an additional $100 fine for the count of reckless driving.

Wren asked Judge Benjamin Hardy, a Pulaski County District Judge appointed to preside over the case, to be allowed to serve his sentence on weekends. Prosecutors offered no objection. Wren then surrendered his driver’s license and was taken into custody.

He will be required to surrender himself at the Whitley County Detention Center each Friday at 6 p.m. and will be released each Sunday at 6 p.m. until his time is served. Wren will be given credit for the time he previously served following his initial arrest last May.

For the full story from the two-day trial, including testimony from the officer that conducted Wren’s field sobriety tests, see the Feb. 21 edition of the News Journal.

Whitley County has pair of multi-million land transfers on one day

The Whitley County Clerk’s Office recently recorded a two separate multi-million dollar land transactions that were both recorded on the same day.

It is great to finally see cooperation between Corbin and London

One of the most pleasing headlines we have had in this newspaper came last week when it read, “A United Front: Mayors Pledge Cooperation.”

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

It was a story about Corbin and London coming together after decades of rivalry over the property along the Cumberland Parkway, off I-75 Exit 29 in what we refer to as North Corbin.

As I look back and ask, what if that terrible law, that was passed decades ago and did not allow annexation into a third county, prohibiting Corbin from annexing into Laurel County, had not been passed? Then, that area would now be one of the most thriving business areas in southeastern Kentucky. Instead, development has been held back for years. Both Laurel County and the City of Corbin have lost no telling how much revenue because of that legislation.

Now we can put that behind us, because London Mayor Randall Weddle and Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus, along with others involved, have done the right thing. As Razmus said, “When we lock arms and start working together, we will amaze each other and our whole region.”

What if the world had that attitude? What if Putin laid down his arms and Israel and Palestine were at peace? Plus, China not threatening to take Taiwan and everybody getting along? We know it is not going to happen, but if those of us locally can work together for the good of all, then our region will progress.

Over 36 years ago I worked at the Sentinel-Echo newspaper in London. I never had a problem, and I made so many good friends. But it was at that time when the location of the new Baptist Hospital was being determined. I attended meetings both in London and Corbin. The competition was harsh, and many bad attitudes were formed. This decision on the Exit 29 property shows that attitudes have changed for the better.

As long as I can remember, Corbin and Williamsburg have been good neighbors. I think we can now add London to the group. The towns can still compete for business, the sports teams will still have rivalries, but when it is all over we can still be good neighbors. Congratulations to all involved, this was a giant step forward!

Congratulations to former Corbin Mayor Scott Williamson for being selected as the new City Manager to replace Marlon Sams, who is retiring.

I would like to see Sams go out in a blaze of glory by announcing that Kentucky Street will be paved this summer. I have written about this so many times it is kind of like one of those things that I wondered if it would happen in my lifetime.

I had the same thoughts about the paving of Gordon Hill and the settlement at Exit 29. I know at some time in the future Kentucky Street will be milled and paved. The right time for the state to do it is this summer!

Cumberland River Behavioral Health gets $543,700 in state grant funding

Gov. Andy Beshear recently awarded $5,991,800 in grant funding to expand treatment and recovery services, including those for pregnant and parenting women with addiction, and $543,700 of that funding will go a local community mental health center headquartered in Corbin.

The funding will also be used to help address Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in Kentucky.

“Every single Kentuckian deserves to live a happy, healthy life in a commonwealth that will provide for them and ensure they have every opportunity to succeed,” Beshear said. “This almost $6 million in funding allows us to give every Kentuckian a successful opportunity from the very beginning of life by providing critical health care treatment while curbing addiction.”

The funding has been distributed to 17 non-profit organizations, such as Community Mental Health Centers and Neonatal Abstinence Treatment Programs, through the Senate Bill 192 Treatment Grant administered by the Office of Drug Control Policy and Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. NAS is a complex set of symptoms consistent with opiate withdrawal that is seen in babies exposed to opiates before birth.

Cumberland River Comprehensive Care Center has been awarded $290,400 to educate and assist mothers in providing proper infant care, for residential services, and for continued recovery supports while transitioning to autonomous living. Cumberland River offers a residential substance abuse program in Corbin named Independence House for pregnant and post partem women.

“This will give us the opportunity to serve young women who suffer from the disease of addiction, to give them hope, education and life skills to assist them on their path to recovery,” said Tim Cesario, regional director of recovery services for Cumberland River Comprehensive Care Center.

Cumberland River will also receive $253,300 for a recovery community center in Laurel County named Crossroads, and resources and recovery supports.

Cumberland River Behavioral Health is a nonprofit community mental health center whose mission is to ensure all members of our community have an opportunity to achieve their highest potential for living satisfying, productive, and valued lives.

Cumberland River’s eight-county service area includes Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle and Whitley counties.

Treatment Resources
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect you to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP (833-859 4357). Findhelpnowky.org can also provide information about treatment programs near you.

East Kentucky Leadership Foundation seeking nominations for awards

East Kentucky is full of people who look out for others and step up to support their communities.

The East Kentucky Leadership Foundation each year honors leaders throughout eastern Kentucky counties who find ways to make a difference, and the organization is now seeking nominations for the 2024 annual awards to be hosted by the City of Corbin April 25-26.

If you or someone you know would be a good candidate for one of the East Kentucky Leadership awards, you can submit that nomination with a few words about why, along with the person’s name, hometown, and contact information to ekyleadershipawards@gmail.com. All nominations must be received by Feb. 20.

This year’s categories are as follows:

• Cultural/ Arts – given in recognition of outstanding contribution to the advancement of culture/arts in the region.
• Media & Technology – given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of news publication, broadcasting, technological innovation and/or digital communication.
• Public Individual – given to recognize an individual whose public service is dedicated to the betterment of the region.
• Private Individual – given to recognize an individual whose private service is dedicated to the betterment of the region.
• Organization – given to recognize groups that have organized to provide a needed service to the region.
• Youth Leadership – given to a young person in Eastern Kentucky who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and service to the region.
• The Carolyn Sunday Award – given to an East Kentuckian who has made an extraordinary contribution to understanding, inclusion and social justice in the region.
• Tony Turner Award – given to an individual, group or organization that has demonstrated major contributions to the betterment of the region.

Daniel Boone National Forest waives fees for Presidents’ Day Weekend

The Daniel Boone National Forest will waive fees at all Forest-operated recreation sites for Presidents’ Day Weekend, Feb. 17-19. This waiver does not apply to recreation sites operated by concessionaires, reserved group-use areas or recreation sites that have been closed for the season or for maintenance.

Visitors will not be charged a recreation fee Saturday, Feb. 17, through Monday, Feb. 19, at the following area locations: Laurel River Lake boat ramps, Bee Rock Boat Ramp in Laurel County, Natural Arch Scenic Area in McCreary County, Appletree Shooting Range in McCreary County, and Whitman Branch Shooting Range in Whitley County.

Camping fees will also be waived beginning Friday evening, Feb. 16, through Sunday evening, Feb. 18, at Bee Rock Campground in Laurel County.

Learn more about the Daniel Boone National Forest at www.fs.usda.gov/dbnf or on social media @DanielBooneNF.

Second guilty plea entered in federal court in connection to years-long gas theft scheme

The second of two regional gas company owners facing federal charges for allegedly manipulating meters has entered a guilty plea in exchange for an agreement with prosecutors.

Keeping an eye on interesting bills in Frankfort

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview 82nd District Representative Nick Wilson to get his thoughts after completing his first full year in the Kentucky House of Representatives. During the course of that interview, I learned more about the process of how bills become laws. I also learned that you can actually track the progress of bills in the House and the Senate online. (more…)

New Corbin City Manager bringing a wealth of experience to the position

The Corbin City Commission certainly picked someone, who knows the city well as its next city manager Friday.

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

The commission interviewed four finalists for about one hour each on two different dates before meeting Friday for about 80 minutes and selecting former mayor Scott Williamson as the person to replace Marlon Sams, who is retiring effective April 1.

Scott was previously elected three consecutive times as mayor serving from 1993 until he resigned in August 2004 to take the position as Executive Director for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Over the years, he has also served in a number of other positions in Frankfort, including jobs with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Scott has the experience to be a really good city manager, and I think he will be successful.

I think I speak for several people when I say that I hope he uses some of those connections in Frankfort to get some paving work done on Main Street and Kentucky Street in the not too distant future.

As Scott pointed out when I interviewed him Friday evening, he does have a little bit of experience working as city manager. While he was mayor he served as interim city manager for a few months between the retirement of Dave Hudson and the hiring of Bill Ed Cannon.

While Scott previously served as mayor for more than a decade, the city has changed since that time. For instance, pretty much all of the department heads from Scott’s era are different than when he served as mayor with exception of Corbin Fire Chief Barry McDonald.

Scott feels Corbin is on the cusp of some major growth, and I would have to agree with that.

With any luck, Frankfort will lift the moratorium on cities annexing property in the county later this year. When you combine that with London’s decision to de-annex the Exit 29 corridor, Corbin is poised for significant growth in southern Laurel County.

In particular, places like Walmart, gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, and several restaurants will likely want to annexed as soon as they can get in the city so they can sell alcohol. Businesses in southern Laurel County can’t serve alcohol now because Laurel County is dry, even though the cities in it are wet.

Annexation into the Corbin city limits would also likely spur development of the old King’s Truck Stop property, which already has a nice new road going through it up to the top of the hill. Work is also underway to expand utility infrastructure in that area.

A major shopping complex there would be huge for the Exit 29 corridor, and it would improve the tax base for both Corbin and Laurel County significantly.

Before I conclude this column, let me switch gears and offer my congratulations to Jonas Saunders, who was recently named the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department 2023 Deputy of the Year. I’ve known Jonas since he was a rookie. He is a hard worker and well-deserving of this award.

Let me also congratulate Deputy Tim Baker, who was recently promoted to sergeant. Tim is a very experienced officer and is deserving of the promotion.